Best Times to Buy: Electronics
One, two, three … charge!
While that call may be perfectly suited to a football game, when it comes to your electronics, you want to leave the charging for your phone only and keep the credit card swiping to a minimum. But with prices always fluctuating and inferior products crowding the market, how can you ensure you’re truly getting a fabulous deal on your tech?
We’ve done the research for you, and have compiled a list of the best times of year to buy electronics along with tips for choosing your tech.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday
The end of November, and the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season, are famous for their fabulous markdowns on all things tech. This is especially true of Cyber Monday. In fact, according to an Adobe® Analytics report(link is external), smart TVs, Apple AirPods, MacBooks, smart watches and tablets were the top selling items on Cyber Monday in 2023.
To find the best deals over what’s become known as “Black Friday Week,” check out the websites of your favorite tech producers. You can also follow big-name sellers like Amazon, Walmart, BestBuy and Target to see when their electronics are being marked down so you can snag the best price.
Amazon Prime Day
The second-best time of year to pick up electronics at a discounted rate is on Amazon Prime Day. This two-day sale, which is usually in mid-July, is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, and brings with it incredible deals on all kinds of tech, including:
- Small smart kitchen appliances like coffee makers and pressure cookers
- Amazon gadgets like Echo™ devices, Kindle® tablets, and Fire TV™ sticks
- Gaming consoles
- Headphones and earbuds
- Laptops
Check out Amazon in the weeks before the sale to ensure you get the best deals before they sell out on the tech you want to buy. You can also use camelcamelcamel(link is external), a site that tracks prices on Amazon, for a quicker way to keep up with prices on items on your wishlist.
August
Back-to-school season is another great time of year to pick up discounted electronics. You’ll find fantastic deals on items like laptops, tablets, computer monitors and accessories, tablets, printers, gaming consoles and Bluetooth speakers. Shop on your state’s tax-free holiday weekend in August for even steeper savings.
New product launches
Another time of year to find bargain-priced tech is when the big names roll out their new products. Apple usually introduces their new iPhone in September and Samsung releases their new Galaxy in February, so both of these months can be perfect for picking up older versions of these smartphones. Similarly, new laptop models tend to hit the stores in January or October, depending on the manufacturer. Be on the lookout for slightly older models during these times of year for an awesome deal.
Questions to ask yourself before buying new tech
Whatever time of year you end up buying new tech, ask yourself these questions to avoid buyer’s remorse:
- Do I really need this product, or am I buying it because of all the hype surrounding its launch?
- How big of a discount am I actually getting on this product? Be sure to compare the regular asking price with the sales price.
- Is there a warranty on this item? It’s always a good idea to check for a manufacturer’s warranty.
- What kind of reviews does this product have? Look up customer reviews to get an idea of the level of satisfaction people have with this product.
- Is it compatible with the tech I already own? It’s best to purchase devices that connect to the same network and work together.
- Is this a durable product? Don’t only consider the tech element of your purchase. Can it stand up to physical wear and tear? If you’ll be using your purchase on a regular basis, you’ll want to make sure it will last. Movable parts, like the hinges on a laptop, are prime targets for early breakage, so pay extra special attention to those.
Of course, as with any large (and small) purchase, make sure you are shopping on a safe and secure site, and that you’re not falling prey to any scams. Check the URL of every landing page you visit for a lock icon and an “s” after the “http”. Look for spelling and grammar errors on sites that look iffy, and stay away from sites with names that are similar to well-known sites belonging to reputable companies. Finally, never agree to wire money to a new and unverified seller or alleged retailer.
You need new tech, but you don’t want your purchases to make you broke. Read our guide to learn the best times of year to purchase new electronics and tips for making sure you buy something that’s truly a great deal.